Cob On Over Cost Of Cob's Wireless Internet Access

摘要

Having deployed on Op Telic 13 it was refreshing to find that during our Reception, Staging, Onward-movement and Integration package at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, WiFi internet access was available for use at a very reasonable rate (￡8 a week for unlimited access). This proved a great way to stay in touch with family and loved ones and to keep a check on finances and personal admin. The American military certainly seem to have a handle on keeping their Servicemen and women in touch with home and giving them the opportunity to manage themselves effectively. However, on arrival at the Contingency Operating Base (COB) the same service came with a gargantuan increase in price -a massive ￡5 per two hours. Is it just me or does this seem a trifle excessive, bearing in mind that, once set up, WiFi runs at virtually no cost? To make this an even harder pill to swallow, this service is provided by our very own British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS). I know that we have free access via internet suites - pre-booked 30-minute slots - but in a very busy schedule this is not always possible or convenient.